(Untitled)

[daryl_zero]

"would you say that to most christians, the fear of going to hell motivates good behavior more than a desire to go to heaven? i would never condone a good outcome if it was brought about by fear."

if any human suffering has ever been prevented by fear I am all for it. never is a dang big word.

Comments

a little too wordy, but bear with me..

[_headcase]

I like the dith's choice of words: subtle reasoning. If someone has the capacity to be motivated truly, for the right reasons, but also keep the deadliest of ultimatums (hell) at the right spot in their mind, then all power too them. But how often are average people able to pull this off? I believe that an idea of hell initiated early in a child's mind is damaging. a sense of permanence is something our minds must eventually grasp, but for me it was completely influenced by this idea of hell, right from the beginning. i used to live utterly terrified, and it wasnt that this was clouding my judgment, of seeing ethical situations in terms of behavior, because i believe i have always had a good grasp on that. and dont get me wrong-- i think establishing consequence is vital, but eternal damnation? Jesus thats extreme. i cannot fathom the idea of a "loving" god wielding such a weapon, yet still calling himself loving. and if god truly loves all, even the sinners, but will still willingly damn millions to this (truly bottom line) fate, then the semantics of the word "love" should be reviewed. Christianity is based on the bible, one that people seem to think they can pick and choose from like a horoscope, based on what they believe (or want to believe), and for themselves. I have heard the argument of christians saying they dont believe in hell-- but how much of an ancient text (which christians believe to also be historical) can you change and interpret broadly before the essence is also changed? how can you know the essence is still aiming true, for the right reasons? say the essence of the bible is to get people to do good things and love god and each other. if you believe in this essence then you must also believe in the bible's method of punishment, because it is demonstrated so plainly and with such weight in the context of the bible.

in the case of fear motivating for the right reasons, I am still deeply opposed. it is nothing but manipulation to me. there is an emotional and mental clarity you cannot have while living under the influence of fear. using people in this way is trecherous and demeaning to the unique human spirit. but i aplaud anyone who can keep a clear head enough to use love as their compass, even as the knowledge of millions of sinners screaming and burning sits at the back of their mind. and remember, these are my thoughts, i am judging nobody.

[_headcase]

whoops that was supposed to be a "post comment" not a "reply to this"